I hated looks of pity. Just because I didn't have a mom or a dad doesn't mean you can patronize me with your piercing glares like I'm some kind of neglected child. Besides, my grandpa is a good enough guardian, mostly. I've always wondered what my parents were like, and so far, the sole answers I have are "I'll tell you when the time is right", and "Your mother was a splendid Warlock." Who were they and what led them to die before my consciousness wasn't that of a stale carrot? Heck, I don't even know what they look like!

I woke up in heaps of cold sweat, my breathing quickened and my heart squeezed as I let out a cry of pain. Gramps threw the door open, a mug of water in hand, and held my shoulders, rambling if I was okay. Honestly, these couple of days have been detrimental; pain, then fear, and then pain again. Was this the consequence of being chosen by a God?

"Gramps... everything hurts. It's like a day doesn't go by when I'm not stricken by pain." I let out, gripping my blanket while furrowing my brow.

"I know, Ky." his eyes darkened as he retracted his hands. "I'm sorry."

"I-I don't get why you unlocked my Fluxi with no forewarning whatsoever. It was very irresponsible, I thought I'd pass."

"Ye. Your old 'pa got too excited."

I never was the type to confront people. I've always regarded that what they were doing was logical and had been taken into account—especially adults. And when the time came that that wasn't the case, I couldn't do anything but forgive them, no matter how much it affected me.

"Apologies, Ky," a familiar voice rose, before materializing into existence again. "Your prayers were much effective."

I understand why my grandpa looked sad, he approached me like a puppy with its tail down. Tybalt, however, sparkled her already shiny eyes as if she was saying, let's do that again! As expected from a God, they're exclusive of themselves.

I was in limbo–afflicted with lethargy and inability. I've memorized every crevice of this house; how long the candles lasted, how much dust would amass, how in every dozen same planks there would be a slightly different one. My thirteenth birthday is next month, but the Cubicle enrollment ceremony doesn't even start till three months after!

Around two days passed before I could walk again. Surprisingly, my feet were still intact– I was certain that they'd been ravaged by the flames. Aeri hasn't been out since that incident, which, if anything, just made me even more unhappy than I already was. Maybe she was getting lectured about kissing a boy. I've developed peculiar feelings of longing for her.

Tybalt must've noticed my frustration because she rested on my shoulder, assuring me that it'll be alright. To cool myself off, I went outside and made my way to the pond again. Maybe a change of pace would calm this chaos. Gramps didn't mind, he was either eating, sleeping, or doing both. I still struggle to understand how he's able to support both of us without doing anything all day.

I sat down on the damp soil, its petrichor easing my mind. It had rained the previous day, so a school of bright scaled Aquawings swam around the new precipitation like a group of kids playing in the rain. I wish I were a fish, fishes have no worries or problems about anything, all they do is swim around, oblivious to the world around them. I gave out a defeated sigh as my stomach grumbled in hunger, I hadn't eaten yet, so I decided to go back home.

"Want a slice?" a gentle voice asked.

It was Aeri, her hand stretched out a slice of multigrain bread. I looked at her in awe. Where did she come from? She must've noticed my confusion, as her pink lips separated, articulating a sentence.

"Sorry for not coming out recently, I was stuck doing chores." she chuckled.

"It's fine," I respond, nomming on the stale crust. "I was busy with other stuff too."

Ky wasn't giddy today like the previous time we met. I wonder if something went wrong. I wanted to ask him, but he seemed so disheartened.

"Hey, you okay? You seem down."

"I don't know if I am, a lot of stuff happened and I'm just lost."

"Lost? How so?"

"I don't know. I'd dismiss it as a simple case of melancholy, but these past few days have really been wearing me down, and well, Gramps isn't the type of person I can confide in. It's like... something's missing in my life."

Such resonant words from a boy his age. His eyes darkened as he chewed on the grains. I reached my hand out only to retract it– we're innately different. I brushed my hair behind my ear as I found the courage to ask him.

"Do you want to talk about what happened?"

We ended up talking for a few hours. Apparently, he underwent a great deal of suffering to awaken his Flux, and well, I didn't know how to respond. I haven't even unlocked my Flux yet, so I can't just spew out insincere advice. He also brought up the topic of family. Something I couldn't stand discussing.

"How about you, Aeri? It must be solacing to have parents who care about you." He said with a gentle smile.

My face couldn't help but twitch at those words, completely switching my mood.

"No. I'd rather they pass," upheaving my pity. "That would give me the solace."

My eyes widened in shock. Did she seriously utter those words? I gritted my teeth and clenched my fist.

"How could you say that? They birthed you, fed you, and raised you." I was an angsty teenager myself, but the wish of death upon one's parents was just mad.

"What?" She retorted, a grimace forming on her face. "You have no idea what I went through."

I couldn't believe her words.

"What you went through? You're telling me that I have no idea what you went through?"

She winced at my sudden raise of tone, before a tear formed in her left eye, her red face contorted into a mixture of anger and sadness.

"A-Aeri, I'm sorr-"

I wasn't even able to finish my sentence before she scurried away, her sandals barely scratching the earth below, dancing above like lightning before it strikes. Why was she so ignorant? I could only dream of having parents. I sighed and slapped my cheek, this self-pity is going to get me nowhere. "Tybalt, what's your estimation date of my recovery?"

"Hmm. I'd say a month if you're lucky."

"Good thing I'm lucky."

And just like that, a month passed. Nothing occurred during that period. I mostly stayed home and stared at the ceiling, convincing myself it would only be a matter of time. The times I have gone out, though, weren't particularly good either– I haven't seen Aeri even once, was she avoiding me? What does it matter, it's not like we were partners. It'd be best if we didn't get in each other's way.

That was easier said than done, however. In a village where the only people you are close to are a gray-furred, anthropomorphic sloth, and a girl I have been interested in since we were kids, I didn't have much to choose from. No matter! I'll pick myself up some beauties in Cubicle.

"That smile of yours is rotten, it reminds me so much of the anthropomorphic sloth."

"We're related, what did you expect?"

"Perhaps some human decency would suffice, you're only twelve yet you are already thinking about women. If I could just remove your grandpa's genetic makeup." Tybalt sighed, looking at her fingernails.

"I am decent! And I am not twelve anymore, I am thirteen!"

"Ah right, your birthday is today. How about I burn your insides as a gift? Oh, wait, that already happened."

I stare at her in horror.

"What? Didn't you want to learn how to control my power? To become Flame, you must accept Flame."

"And that acceptance causes grilled kidneys and fried lungs? No thanks."

"Kidneys and lungs are delicacies, so I wouldn't mind."

I hiss at her in contempt, only to be shrugged off, like a God reminding a peasant of their statistical gap. I mean, she wasn't wrong. She is a God. So much for "I am your servant."

I was in conflict. I have decided to train him starting today. However, I still worry whether his body would react poorly like last time. Today is his thirteenth birthday, which is when Fluxi nodes would usually begin to calibrate with one's ability, and seeing that I, the almighty, graceful, Tybalt have chosen him, he should be alright. He is a halfling.

"Kyro, let's go to the river."

"Why the sudden request?" His acute ears perked up.

"Note it as your birthday present."